Charism is a Seed

When we speak of Charism, the emphasis is laid on empowerment from above through the Holy Spirit and not from below through intellectual preparation, skill, experience... etc. This empowerment has, as it were, two facets: Discipleship, that is sequela Christi (the following of Christ) and Apostleship, that is the fact of being sent by Christ, as he was sent by the Father to announce and build-up the Kingdom.

In the case of St. Comboni, discipleship means to be followers of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd of the pierced heart. Apostleship means, ad gentes, ad extra, ad vitam and ad pauperes. It also includes a constant, organized and meaningful mission promotion by all the MCCJ priests and brothers.  

Charism is a seed which keeps on sprouting new branches. All the ministries share the dynamic of Jesus' ministry as for example St. Paul describes:  (See Eph. 4:1-6 and Phil. 2:6-11) ~ that is, descent, insertion in the life situations of the people to become one of them in all but sin and ascent, that is to enter into the new earth and new heaven through faith in Christ, conversion, liberation from evils both personal and social. Ministers are then agents of thorough and holistic transformation at the personal and social level!